“We live in capitalism, its power seems inescapable — but then, so did the divine right of kings. Any human power can be resisted and changed by human beings. Resistance and change often begin in art. Very often in our art, the art of words.” ― Ursula K. Le Guin

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan

PRELUDE –  Phillip Herr-Klepacki, piano

CALL TO WORSHIP – adapted from Psalm 13 — Offered by Rev. Chad McGinnis

One: “How long, O Lord,” the people cry.

ALL: Will you forget me forever?

One: How long will I know sorrow and pain? How long shall the unjust be victorious?

ALL: O God, consider and answer us. Grant us light in our eyes: return us to joy.

One: May we trust in the steadfast love of God, however known, that we are not left alone in our suffering, that we are blessed as we stand in solidarity with others.

ALL: May we trust in the steadfast love of God, however known, that we will one day rejoice again.

OPENING SONG – “Through All the World, a Hungry Christ” — Accompanied by the LaMarTi Trio: Larry Reimer, Mark Burlingame, Tim Martin, trumpets

TIME WITH CHILDREN AND BIRTHDAYS – “Ben’s Trumpet” by Rachel Isadora – Offered by Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan

INTERLUDE 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Rev. Chad McGinnis

PRAYER RESPONSE – “Invocation” by Christopher Grundy

READING – “The Blues” by Billy Collins — Read by Phoebe Papadi

Much of what is said here
must be said twice,
a reminder that no one
takes an immediate interest in the pain of others.
Nobody will listen, it would seem,
if you simply admit
your baby left you this morning
and didn’t even stop to say good-bye.
But if you sing it again
with the help of the band
which will now lift you to a higher,
more ardent, and beseeching chord,
people will not only listen;
they will shift to the empathetic
edges of their chairs,
moved to such acute anticipation
by that chord and the delay that follows,
they will not be able to sleep
unless you release with one finger
a scream from the throat of your guitar,
turn your head back to the microphone,
and let them know
you’re a hard-hearted man
but that woman’s sure to make you cry.

SPECIAL MUSIC AND OFFERING – “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” by Mike Reid and Allen Shamblin, and made famous by Bonnie Raitt – Offered by Elizabeth Clark, vocals; Phillip Herr-Klepacki, piano

Your gifts support all facets of the UCG community. You can also give online: bit.ly/ucgplate.

Turn down the lights
Turn down the bed
Turn down these voices inside my head
Lay down with me
Tell me no lies
Just hold me close, don’t patronize
Don’t patronize me’Cause I can’t make you love me if you don’t
You can’t make your heart feel something it won’t
Here in the dark, in these final hours
I will lay down my heart and I’ll feel the power
But you won’t, no you won’t
‘Cause I can’t make you love me, if you don’tI’ll close my eyes, then I won’t see
The love you don’t feel when you’re holding me
Morning will come and I’ll do what’s right
Just give me till then to give up this fight
And I will give up this fight’Cause I can’t make you love me if you don’t
You can’t make your heart feel something it won’t
Here in the dark, in these final hours
I will lay down my heart and I’ll feel the power
But you won’t, no you won’t
‘Cause I can’t make you love me, if you don’t

Lenten Practices 

Lenten Reflection Booklets – Daily readings, through March 31, featuring original and favorite artwork, music, photos, and writings by UCG members, curated by Taylor Williams and Lisa Goldstein. Available for pick-up or for digital delivery at bit.ly/ucglentdevo24.

Lenten Vespers Services – Each Thursday through March 21, 7 – 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. A time to sing and pray together, allowing the rhythm of the Lenten season to shape your heart and week.

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Today at UCG
Third Sunday in Lent – Food First Sunday

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Parents’ Night Out — March 8, 5:30-9:30 p.m., UCG Education Wing — Children, infants through 5th grade, are invited for a night of piz­za and fun. $15 for the first child, and $10 for each additional child. RSVP by Thursday, March 7 to juliac@ucgainesville.org. 

All-Church Retreat is Coming – April 12 – 14 at Warren Willis Camp in Fruitland Park, Florida. Our theme is “Renew.” Registration begins Wednesday, March 13 and continues through March 24. Check out the March newsletter for more information!

A memorial service will be held for Tom Miller, beloved member of our congregation, on Saturday, March 9th, at 10 a.m. with a reception immediately after in Reimer Hall. All are welcome and encouraged to be present as a loving community in support of Tom’s family and friends. Finger foods, sweet or savory, would be greatly appreciated.

Join us for our annual Break-Fast Feast on Thursday, March 21 at 6 p.m. in Reimer Hall, sponsored by the Compassion in Action Committee. Partnering with Growing Hope Globally, we fast, however known, and donate what we can to support communities around the world in growing lasting solutions to hunger. Please sign-up bring soup, salad, or bread to share with 8-10 people. Over the last five years, we have donated over $13,251 to the greenhouse project in the Western Highlands of Guatemala to improve food security for families in that region. We appreciate your giving for our fifth year of supporting the  greenhouse project in the Western Highlands of Guatemala.  You can make a gift by check (Growing Hope Globally in subject line) or click here.Thank you for your support.

Since the addition of extra chairs in the Sanctuary, some people have expressed that the room feels too crowded. We want to let you know that each week there will be overflow seating in Reimer Hall with the service live-streamed to the tv there, if you would like to use that space.

A few of our small groups have extended their registration date. Click here to see the offerings and register. Please contact the church office with any questions.

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Next Sunday, March 10

Fourth Sunday in Lent 

9:00 a.m.                Youth Choir
9:45 a.m.                  Childcare                                  
10:00 a.m.               Worship – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan and the Hogtown Pickers
10:15 a.m.                United Tribes                            
11:00 a.m.               Fellowship and Beverages
11:15 a.m.                Common Threaders
                                  Board of Membership
11:30 a.m.                Sunday Seminar               
3:00 p.m.                 Dances of Universal Peace                
6:00 p.m.                  Sacred Sound Symphony
7:00 p.m.                 The Evolving Gainesville Community

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